memorial  tributes 

Re^  Robert  Zena$  Jobttston 

I$$«0$ 


92  2  j~ 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N.  C. 


fttemtf rial  Tributes 


Digitized  by 

the  Internet  Archive 

in  2014 

https://archive.org/details/revrobertzenasjoOOunse 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnfton 

1834-1908 


Memorial  Tributes 


PUBLISHED  BY  ^ 

LINCOLNTON  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

LINCOLNTON,  N.  C. 


durham,  n.  c.: 
The  Sbeman  Printery, 
1908 


p  i  g  o  o  a 


p  /  ?  0  0  d 


RESOLUTIONS 


Of  the  Session  of  Lincolnton  Presbyterian 
Church. 

Whereas,  God  in  his  inscrutable  wisdom  has 
called  from  earth  our  beloved  pastor,  Rev.  R.  Z. 
Johnston,  who  for  a  third  of  a  century  labored 
in  this  vineyard,  and  presided  over  this  ses- 
sion; and, 

Whereas,  We  desire  to  place  on  record  a 
tribute  to  his  long  and  faithful  service,  of  our 
personal  loss  and  bereavement,  and  tender  and 
sweet  remembrance ;  therefore  be  it 

Resolved,  That  we  bow  in  humble  submis- 
sion to  the  will  of  our  Heavenly  Father  that 
deprives  us  of  the  presence  of  one  who  rightly 
divided  the  Word  of  Truth,  whose  counsel  and 
genial  disposition  helped  and  cheered  us,  whose 
great  warm  heart  took  in  all.  The  law  of  his 
life  was  love.  Its  pathway  was  made  bright 
and  sunshiny  by  kindly  words,  generous  deeds, 
and  friendly  touches.  His  abundant  labors 
have  made  deep  and  lasting  impression  for  the 
Master's  cause  and  the  uplift  and  betterment 
of  humanity.    We  cherish  his  memory. 

Resolved,  That  these  resolutions  be  spread 
upon  the  minutes  of  the  session  and  a  copy 
furnished  the  family  of  the  deceased. 

A.  Nixon,  Clerk  of  Session. 


6 


Memorial  Tributes 

/ 

MEMORIAL 


Adopted  by  King's  Mountain  Presbytery,  at 
Forest  City,  N.  C,  Sept.  9,  1908. 

All  of  us  today  miss  from  this  earthly  court 
of  J esus  Christ,  the  veuerable  face,  warm  greet- 
ing, loving  heart  and  wise  counsels  of  him  who 
for  a  generation  has  been  one  of  us — loving 
and  well  beloved.  He  meets  no  more  with  us 
in  these  courts.  He  is  gone.  He  walked  with 
God  and  is  not  because  God  took  him. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  24th,  suddenly  he 
entered  into  rest.  While  preaching  in  the  Dal- 
las Presbyterian  Church,  he  was  stricken  with 
what  in  five  brief  days  proved  to  be  the  hand 
of  death.  The  final  summons  found  him  talk- 
ing of  the  people  and  church  he  served  so  long, 
and  in  less  than  an  half  hour  of  the  end  he  was 
bowed  in  prayer  for  them. 

Robert  Zenas  Johnston  was  born  December 
14,  1834,  in  Rowan  county,  N.  C,  and  early 
joined  the  church  of  his  parents — Third  Creek 
Presbyterian  Church.  He  was  graduated  from 
Davidson  College,  N".  C,  in  the  class  of  1858, 
and  also  from  the  Columbia  (S.  C.)  Theo- 
logical Seminary  in  the  year  1861. 

On  April  13,  1861,  he  was  licensed  by  Con- 
cord Presbytery  and  by  this  same  Presbytery 
was  ordained  on  November  17,  1861,  and  late 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  7 

in  this  year  was  installed  pastor  of  Providence 
and  Sharon  churches.  Here  amid  the  stress 
and  sorrow  of  war  and  post-bellum  times,  his 
early  manhood  gave  more  than  a  decade  of  faith- 
ful service. 

In  January,  1872,  Mr.  Johnston  came  to 
Lincolnton,  where  for  more  ,than  thirty-five 
years  he  lived  and  labored  till  he  was  called  to 
a  larger  field  of  service,  in  the  presence  of  his 
King.  In  all  these  years  his  life  was  inter- 
woven through  the  whole  fabric  of  the  civil, 
social,  intellectual  and  religious  life  of  historic 
Lincoln  county.  His  custom  was  to  visit  the 
schools  and  mingle,  talk,  and  pray  with  the 
children  and  youth  gathered  there.  And  the 
children  with  that  quick  intuition  knew  him 
to  be  their  friend  and  loved  him.  On  every 
patriotic  occasion,  as  a  public-spirited  citizen, 
he  was  present  to  encourage  and  help  every 
laudable  public  undertaking.  So  that  it  may 
easily  be  said  that  Lincolnton's  "first  citizen" 
was  Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnston.  His  nature  was  pre- 
eminently sociable  and  affectionate.  His  heart 
was  large  and  so  filled  with  that  warmth  of  love 
and  ardor  of  devotion,  that  he  was  the  friend 
of  every  one.  Sincerely  cordial  in  greeting, 
unaffectedly  happy  with  the  merry,  sympatheti- 
cally mourning  with  the  sorrowing,  deeply 
solicitous  with  the  anxious  hearts,  kind  and 
tender  to  all,  the  man  at  his  labor,  the  child  in 


8 


Memorial  Tributes 


his  sports  and  the  mother  in  her  home,  have 
lost  a  true  friend.  Whether  by  the  banquet 
table  or  the  dying  bed,  by  the  marriage  altar  or 
beside  the  open  grave,  with  young,  mature  or 
aged,  his  heart  responded  to  every  need  of  these 
checkered  scenes  of  these  changing  lives. 

In  his  preaching  he  took  the  throbbing  heart 
of  the  gospel — love — as  his  supreme  theme.  In 
words,  wooing  and  warning,  again  and  again, 
in  great  tenderness  and  earnestness,  he  preached 
Christ. 

From  Lincolnton  as  a  center,  Mr.  Johnston 
labored  abundantly  in  a  large  surrounding  sec- 
tion. He  supplied  for  greater  or  briefer  time  the 
churches  of  Goshen,  Mt.  Holly,  Stanly  Creek, 
Dallas,  Shelby,  Waco.,  Cherryville,  Hephzibah, 
Ironton,  besides  many  mission  points.  And  in 
all  this  territory  are  many  who  thank  God  for 
the  loving  ministry  of  this  man  of  God  and 
who,  out  of  devout  hearts,  revere  his  memory. 

For  twenty-five  years  Bro.  Johnston  was  the 
stated  clerk  of  Mecklenburg  Presbytery,  for 
several  terms  he  was  Superintendent  of  Pub- 
lic Instruction  in  Lincoln  county  and  for  a 
long  time  a  trustee  of  Davidson  College.  He 
was  loved  and  honored  by  the  brethren  of  his 
Presbytery,  whose  sessions  he  was  always  faith- 
ful to  attend.  That  he  is  missed  here  today, 
each  heart  now  testifies.    As  friend,  counselor, 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  9 


presbyter  and  brother,  we  have  loved  him  and 
do;  we  do  love  him  and  shall. 

On  May  15,  1861,  he  married  Miss  Catharine 
M.  Caldwell,  of  Chester,  S.  C.  To  them  were 
born  three  sons  and  six  daughters,  of  whom 
there  survive  two  sons  and  three  daughters. 
The  building  of  a  home  of  such  simplicity  and 
affection,  usefulness  and  refinement,  with  the 
help  of  the  wife  and  mother  gone  before  him 
to  God,  was  by  no  means  least  among  the  good 
works  of  this  good  man. 

And  now  he's  gone,  and  in  the  flesh  we  shall 
see  his  face  no  more.  "Dead,"  we  say,  as  we 
miss  his  familiar  face,  yet  rather  let  us  say, 
as  we  reflect  that  he  dwells  with  the  Prince  of 
Life,  a]STo,  not  dead,  but  alive  evermore." 

"It  is  not  death  to  die — 

To  leave  this  weary  road, 
And  'midst  the  brotherhood  on  high, 
To  be  at  home  with  God. 

"It  is  not  death  to  close 

The  eye  long  dimmed  by  tears, 
And  wake,  in  glorious  repose, 
To  spend  eternal  years. 

"It  is  not  death  to  bear 

The  wrench  that  sets  us  free 
From  dungeon  chain,  to  breathe  the  air 
Of  boundless  liberty. 

"It  is  not  death  to  fling 
Aside  this  sinful  dust, 
And  rise,  op  strong    exulting  wing, 
To  live  among  the  just. 


Memorial  Tributes 


"Jesus,  Thou  Prince  of  Life! 

Thy  chosen  cannot  die; 
Like  Thee,  they  conquer  in  the  strife, 
To  reign  with  Thee  on  high." 

J.  J.  Kennedy, 
E.  A.  Miller, 

W.   E.  MlNTER, 

A.  Nixon, 

Committee. 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  11 


TRIBUTE 

Of  Synod  of  North  Carolina,  Adopted  at  New 
Bern,  N.  C,  October  22,  1908. 

Kev.  E.  Z.  Johnston. 

Born  in  Rowan  county,  K.  C,  December 
14,  1834.  Was  graduated  from  Davidson  Col- 
lege, N.  C,  in  1858  and  from  Columbia,  S.  C, 
Seminary  in  1861.  Licensed  by  Concord  Pres- 
bytery on  April  13,  1861.  Ordained  by  Con- 
cord Presbytery  on  November  17,  1861.  Mar- 
ried to  Miss  Catharine  M.  Caldwell,  May  15, 
1861.  Pastor  of  Providence  and  Sharon 
churches  in  Mecklenburg  county,  1ST.  C,  from 
1861  to  1871.  Pastor  of  Lincolnton  (K  C.) 
Presbyterian  Church  and  different  contiguous 
churches  from  1872-1907.  Entered  into  rest 
on  April  24,  1908. 

This  in  briefest  outline  is  the  life  of  the 
well-beloved  brother  in  Christ  and  venerable 
Father  in  Israel  to  whom  we  do  today  pay  our 
memorial  tribute  of  love  and  sweet  remem- 
brance. 

As  a  man :  He  was  broad  in  sympathy,  strong 
in  conviction,  in  heart  tender  and  true,  ever 
hating  the  false,  and  loving  the  true  and  pure. 
A  true  man,  he  loved  mankind  and  helped  this 
great  brotherhood  in  sin  nearer  to  God. 


12 


Memorial  Tributes 


As  a  citizen :  Living  in  Lincolnton  more  than 
a  generation,  always  keenly  interested  in  every 
matter  of  public  interest  and  common  good,  no 
one  among  the  citizens  of  his  community  ques- 
tioned his  primacy.  He  loved,  prayed  for,  and 
rejoiced  in  every  social,  civic,  industrial  or  edu- 
cational advancement  and  in  these  matters  was 
often  called  into  counsel  or  leadership.  He  did 
that  difficult  and  delicate  thing  for  a  minister 
to  do — took  a  deep  and  sincere  interest  in  these 
civic  matters  without  meddling  or  being  offi- 
cious. 

As  a  father:  If  this  good  man  did  no  other 
thing  besides  build  an  ideal  Christian  home, 
his  life  would  have  been  well  spent.  Himself 
as  the  head,  his  beloved  wife  who  preceded  him 
to  Glory,  with  the  six  daughters  and  three  sons 
in  the  manse — strife  shut  out,  and  peace  lured 
in — made  a  home  that  was  an  oasis  in  this  des- 
ert of  evil  and  a  fit  picture  of  the  Home  above. 
From  this  manse  there  distilled  throughout  the 
community  and  an  even  wider  circle,  the  sweet 
aroma  of  a  beautiful  Christian  home.  And 
without  one  articulate  word,  this  home  has 
preached  many  an  eloquent  sermon. 

As  a  friend:  Brother  Johnston  fulfilled  the 
Scripture's  requisite  for  securing  friends — 
he  "showed  himself  friendly."  Big  of  heart, 
cordial  and  generous  of  nature,  courteous  in 
manner,  loving  all  and  hating  none,  he  was  the 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  13 

friend  of  every  man.  Unbounded  by  denomina- 
tional lines,  irrespective  of  race  or  class,  his 
friendship  was  of  true  Christian  catholicity. 

As  a  Christian:  Deep  in  humility,  childlike 
in  faith,  strong  in  love,  patient  and  forbearing, 
none  who  knew  our  departed  brother  failed  to 
see  in  him  the  reflected  glory  of  the  enthroned 
Christ.  He  loved  God  and  God's  people  with 
a  most  fervent  affection.  From  childhood  he 
walked  with  God.  Believing  and  serving  God 
whom  he  had  not  seen,  now  he  sees  the  King 
of  His  Glory,  and  himself  in  that  likeness,  doth 
rejoice. 

As  a  preacher:  He  preached  to  the  heart. 
Earnest,  tender,  sympathetic  were  his  messages. 
The  great  theme  of  his  preaching  was  love — 
love  with  its  height  and  length  and  breadth 
and  depth  and  with  its  almost  infinite  ramifi- 
cations.   He  was  a  latter-day  St.  John. 

As  a  pastor:  Loving  people,  he  loved  to 
visit.  Loving  children,  children  loved  him. 
Cheerful  and  hopeful,  his  presence,  counsels 
and  prayers  in  the  homes  of  his  people  were  a 
benediction.  He  entered  into  an  unusual  de- 
gree into  the  life  of  his  people,  so  that  their 
cares  were  his  cares,  their  joys  his  delight,  so 
that  their  failures  were  to  him  a  sorrow,  their 
sins  his  grief  and  their  fidelity  his  joy  and 
crown. 

As  a  presbyter :  None  can  surpass  his  fidelity 


14 


Memorial  Tributes 


in  attending  church  courts.  As  far  back  as  the 
writer  can  find,  he  missed  only  one  meeting  of 
Synod,  and  one  meeting  of  Presbytery.  For 
twenty-five  years  he  was  stated  clerk  of  Meck- 
lenburg Presbytery  and  was  moderator  of 
this  venerable  body,  the  Synod  of  North  Caro- 
lina, at  its  meeting  in  Fayetteville  in  1887. 
And  these  annual  meetings  with  his  brethren  in 
Christ,  how  he  did  enjoy !  And  in  the  delibera- 
tions, he  was  an  alert  and  interested  partici- 
pant, contributing  thereto  a  full  quoto  of  wis- 
dom, counsel  and  inspiration.  Prom  this  court 
today  we  miss  his  familiar  face  and  kindly 
greeting.  Around  this  holy  table,  where  with 
his  brethren  and  his  Lord,  he  loved  to  hold  fel- 
lowship, with  bowed  hearts  we  mark  his  ab- 
sence today. 

Then  let  us,  brethren,  here  and  now  thank 
God  for  the  life  and  labors  of  this  servant  of 
His.  Let  us  build  here  the  memorial  of  our 
love  and  affection  for  our  deceased  comrade  in 
faith.  And  let  us  be  incited,  be  in  earnest  and 
in  haste  to  do  well  and  surely  that  work  which 
the  Father  hath  committed  unto  us. 

W.  R.  MlNTER. 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  15 

IN  MEMORIAM. 

Every  heart  in  the  wide  circle  of  his  aquaint- 
ance  was  stirred  with  grief  when  it  became 
known  that  our  Heavenly  Father,  in  his  wis- 
dom and  love,  had  called  from  among  us  to 
himself  our  beloved  pastor,  Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnston ; 
therefore  be  it 

Resolved  1.  That  we,  the  members  of  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  the  Woman's  Mission- 
ary Society  of  Lincolnton  Presbyterian  Church, 
bow  in  humble  submission  to  God's  will,  know- 
ing that  "He  doeth  all  things  well,"  and  that 
our  loss  is  his  gain. 

Resolved  2.  That  we  cherish  his  memory  as 
that  of  a  man,  strong  and  true,  who  served  his 
people  as  a  tender  shepherd  for  more  than 
thirty-five  years. 

Resolved  3.  That  we  extend  to  the  sorrowing 
family  our  heartfelt  sympathy  with  the  sweet 
hope  that  they  may  be  reunited  in  our  Heavenly 
home. 

Mrs.  T.  J.  Smith, 
Mrs.  J.  B.  Heim, 
Mrs.  S.  G.  Burgin, 
Mrs.  W.  R.  Minter, 
Mrs.  A.  M.  Hoke, 
Mrs.  J.  Simpson  Wise, 
Mrs.  R.  S.  Reinhardt. 


16 


Memorial  Tributes 


REV.  ROBERT  ZENAS  JOHNSTON. 

The  committee  appointed  by  the  Ministers' 
Conference  of  Lincolnton  to  draft  resolutions 
memorial  of  the  late  Rev.  Robert  Zenas  John- 
ston would  report  as  follows :  That  in  the  death 
of  our  beloved  brother,  the  whole  church  of 
Christ  has  sustained  a  great  loss,  which  falls 
especially  heavy  upon  this  community  and  upon 
this  Conference. 

The  good  this  our  colaborer  in  Christ  has 
done,  both  in  his  public  and  private  ministry,  is 
beyond  all  reckoning.  For  many  years  he 
served  faithfully  and  zealously  the  church  of 
his  conviction,  and  the  great  number  of  men 
and  women  to  whom  he  was  pastor  sufficiently 
testify  in  the  godliness  of  their  lives,  to  the 
fervor  of  his  devotion  to  the  Master's  cause. 
Beyond  and  above  this  ministry  in  his  own 
church,  Mr.  Johnston  was  the  friend  and 
shepherd  of  all  kinds  and  conditions  of  men, 
without  respect  to  their  church  affiliation.  He 
was  an  apostle  to  the  Gentiles,  especially  to 
those  who  were  friendless  and  to  all  wandering 
ones. 

Men  of  every  calling  and  of  every  faith  have 
experienced  his  kindness  and  now  miss  his 
loving  care.  And  everywhere  his  name  was 
known,  without  respect  to  sex,  race  or  condition, 
there  are  those  who  rise  up  and  call  him 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  17 


"blessed."  This  follower  of  the  lowly  Jesus 
was  eminently  gentle,  tender  and  loving  to  all 
who  approached  him.  He  had  no  harsh  words 
or  thoughts  for  any  man.  Nor  did  he  ever 
spare  himself  in  any  particular,  but  was  ready 
and  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent  to  the  utter- 
most as  the  servant  of  Christ  and  as  the  friend 
of  man. 

He  never  gave  up  his  work  but  died  in  har- 
ness, in  the  forefront  of  the  battle  as  becometh 
a  good  soldier  of  Jesus  Christ.  We,  his  com- 
panions in  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  of  Christ, 
would  record  our  love  and  admiration  for  this 
true  friend,  kind-hearted  and  affectionate 
brother,  and  loyal  and  tender  preacher  of  the 
,Word. 

In  our  Conference  of  Ministers,  he  was  not 
only  its  President,  but  also  its  center  and  life. 
Always  punctual  and  faithful,  always  with  a 
special  message  to  encourage  and  help,  we  shall 
sorely  miss  his  sweet  counsels  and  fellowship. 
Holding  in  loving  remembrance  his  tender  heart 
and  holy  life,  constantly  missing  his  beaming 
face,  cordial  greeting  and  gentle  presence,  we 
thank  God  for  the  like  of  him  and  for  the  sure 
hope  of  gaining  back  the  presence,  companion- 
ship and  counsels  of  him  we  "have  loved  and 
lost  awhile." 

D.  T.  Johnson, 
2  W.  R.  Mintek, 


18 


Memorial  Tributes 


RESOLUTIONS 


Of  Esteem  by  Trustees  of  Lincolnton  Female 
Academy. 

Whereas,  Since  our  last  meeting  an  All- 
wise  Providence  has  removed  from  this  earthly- 
life,  Eev.  K.  Z.  Johnston,  the  chairman  of  this 
Board ;  and  while  gathered  to  his  fathers  like  a 
sheaf  of  golden  grain,  full  ripe  unto  the  har- 
vest, our  hearts  are  saddened,  and  we  desire  to 
make  record  of  our  esteem;  therefore, 

Resolved  1.  That  by  his  death,  this  Academy 
has  lost  an  officer  who  for  long  years  discharged 
the  duties  of  his  trust  with  love,  efficiency  and 
fidelity. 

2.  That  in  his  departure  we  suffer  personal 
bereavement  and  will  greatly  miss  his  presence, 
counsel,  assistance,  and  charming  companion- 
ship. 

3.  The  cause  of  education  has  lost  a  valu- 
able champion;  for  next  to  the  service  of  his 
Lord  and  Master  came  his  effort  in  behalf  of 
education. 

4.  That  we  extend  to  his  family  our  sym- 
pathy with  the  assurance  his  memory  will  be 
treasured  among  our  most  hallowed  associa- 
tions. E.  M.  Koseman, 

J.  L.  Cobb, 
C.  E.  Childs, 

Committee. 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  19 

PRESS  NOTICES. 

Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston  was  a  native  of 
Rowan  county,  where  he  was  born  December 
14,  1834,  on  the  old  Johnston  homestead.  This 
ancestral  place  is  a  part  of  an  extensive  pur- 
chase, on  the  waters  of  the  South  Yadkin, 
made  by  his  great-grandfather,  Robert  John- 
ston, from  Lord  Granville.  The  subject  of  this 
sketch  was  a  student  of  local  and  general  his- 
tory and  devoted  to  preserving  the  memorials 
of  the  past,  and  this  ancient  grant  from  the 
English  Lord,  of  date  August  6,  1759,  is  still 
in  the  possession  of  the  family.  His  father, 
Rufus  D.  Johnston,  was  a  substantial  farmer 
and  his  mother's  maiden  name  was  Alcy  Gra- 
ham. Both  parents  were  of  Scotch-Irish  de- 
scent; they  and  their  ancestors  were  devout 
members  of  Third  Creek  Presbyterian  Church. 

Mr.  Johnston  was  a  regular  attendant  on  all 
the  councils  of  his  church  and  received  every 
honor  his  brethren  could  bestow.  He  took  a 
lively  interest  in  education  and  did  much  for 
the  public  schools.  He  served  several  terms  as 
Superintendent  of  Public  Instruction  of  Lin- 
coln county,  and  as  chairman  of  the  County 
Board  of  Education.  He  was  a  trustee  of  Lin- 
colnton  Female  Academy,  and  a  trustee  of 
Davidson  College.  During  all  the  years  he  was 
a  contributor  to  the  secular  and  religious  press. 


20 


Memorial  Tributes 


He  was  a  loyal  presbyter,  and  faithfully  and 
lovingly  discharged  all  the  duties  of  pastor,  but 
his  friends  and  friendships  were  not  bounded 
by  denominational  lines.  Of  splendid  physique, 
handsome  appearance  and  fine  address,  for  the 
success  he  attained  and  the  great  work  he  per- 
formed he  was  not  less  indebted  to  the  excellent 
qualities  and  personality  of  the  man,  than  to 
his  ability  as  a  preacher.  Gentle,  courteous, 
affable,  kind,  sympathetic,  cheerful,  he  was 
loved  and  honored,  and  his  passing  leaves  a 
great  void. 

Among  numerous  other  floral  designs  were 
two  that  were  so  emblematic  and  touchingly  ap- 
propriate to  the  occasion,  one  a  floral  design  of 
"The  Gates  Ajar,"  and  the  other  "A  Sheaf  of 
Eipened  Grain." — Lincoln  County  Times. 


The  funeral  was  held  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  of  which  the  deceased  was  the  beloved 
pastor  for  thirty-six  years  at  2  :30  o'clock  Satur- 
day afternoon.  The  church  was  filled  to  its 
utmost  capacity  with  the  friends  of  the  de- 
ceased who  represented  almost  every  walk  in 
life,  and  one  of  the  largest  crowds  ever  seen  at 
a  burial  in  Lincolnton  followed  the  hearse  to 
the  Methodist  graveyard,  where  the  body  of  the 
venerable  man  was  laid  to  rest  beside  that  of 
his  wife  and  two  children.    The  pall-bearers 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  21 


were:  J.  A.  Abernethy,  B.  M.  Boseman,  E.  E. 
Beal,  C.  C.  Wrenshall,  E.  S.  Bernhardt  and 
A.  Nixon.  The  body  was  preceded  into  the 
church  by  an  escort  of  ministers  as  follows: 
W.  E.  Minter,  G.  A.  Sparrow,  E.  A.  Miller, 
P.  E.  Law,  J.  J.  Kennedy,  E.  C.  Anderson,  C. 
Miller,  E.  A.  Yoder,  J.  E.  Gay  and  S.  EL 
Bennett.  After  the  hymn,  "One  Sweetly  Sol- 
emn Thought,'7  Eev.  G.  A.  Sparrow  read  from 
the  Gospel  of  St.  John,  14th  chapter :  "Let  not 
your  hearts  be  troubled,  ye  believe  in  God,  be- 
lieve also  in  me."  Eev.  E.  A.  Miller  made  a 
touching  and  fervent  prayer,  after  which  the 
choir  sweetly  sang,  "My  Faith  Looks  Up  to 
Thee."  Eev.  P.  E.  Law,  of  the  Presbyterian 
Standard,  made  a  few  brief  but  very  touching 
remarks,  which  were  followed  by  remarks  and 
a  prayer  by  Eev.  W.  E.  Minter.  The  choir 
then  sang  the  favorite  hymn  of  the  deceased, 
"Jesus,  I  Love  Thy  Charming  Name,"  and 
as  the  funeral  cortege  passed  from  the  church 
the  choir  sang  the  hymn,  "Weary  of  Earth  and 
Laden  with  Care."  At  the  grave,  Eev.  W.  E. 
Minter  read  the  commitment  service  and  prayer 
was  offered  by  Eev.  P.  E.  Law.  While  the 
grave  was  being  filled  the  choir  sang,  "Asleep 
in  Jesus,"  "Bock  of  Ages"  and  "Art  Thou 
Weary."  The  benediction  was  pronounced  by 
Eev.  W.  E.  Minter.  The  floral  offerings  were 
the  most  elaborate  and  numerous  ever  seen  in 


22  Memorial  Tributes 


Lincolnton,  and  after  the  grave  of  the  veteran 
pastor  was  literally  heaped  with  these  beautiful 
and  fragrant  flowers  there  were  yet  enough  to 
completely  cover  the  grave  of  the  wife  near  by. 
— Lincoln  County  News. 


Like  a  "sheaf  of  corn  full  ripe  unto  harvest," 
Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnston,  of  Lincolnton,  one  of  the 
State's  oldest  and  most  beloved  ministers,  was 
gathered  to  his  Father,  Friday  of  last  week.  He 
was  widely  known  throughout  the  State,  and 
was  greatly  endeared  to  our  people,  having 
served  the  pastorate  of  the  Presbyterian  Church 
at  this  place  many  years  ago.  He  was  an  ideal 
citizen,  true  to  his  county,  his  State,  his  gov- 
ernment. Gentle,  affable,  courteous,  beloved, 
he  had  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who 
came  within  the  sphere  of  his  influence. — Cleve- 
land Star. 


The  death  of  Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnston,  of  Lin- 
colnton, removes  one  of  the  best  of  the  old- 
fashioned,  big-brained  Presbyterian  preachers 
to  whom  North  Carolina  owes  a  big  debt.  He 
was  a  Confederate  soldier  and  after  the  sur- 
render he  was  a  faithful  soldier  of  the  Cross. 
North  Carolina  had  no  worthier  leader  in 
patriotism  and  righteousness. — Raleigh  News 
and  Observer. 


Rby.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  23 


EXTRACT  FROM  ADDRESS 


Of  A.  Nixon  Before  U.  D.  C.  and  U.  C.  V., 
Memorial  Day,  May  10,  1908. 

Today  we  miss  a  familiar  form,  and  fail  to 
hear  a  familiar  voice.  Only  a  few  days  since 
the  president  of  your  chapter  said  Rev.  R.  Z. 
Johnston  would  preside  over  these  ceremonies. 
He  has  attended  every  meeting  of  the  veterans 
and  it  seemed  a  matter  of  course  that  he  would 
be  here.  He  has  been  summoned  by  the  Great 
Commander  to  the  reunion  from  which  none 
e'er  return.  Born  December  14,  1834,  he 
crossed  the  threshold  of  the  "gloom-curtained 
door,"  April  24,  1908.  There  is  a  new-made 
grave  in  yonder  cemetery.  The  flowers  you 
place  on  it  this  evening  will  mingle  with  others 
scarce  withered  with  which  you  adorned  it  at 
his  sepulture.  But  he  still  lives  in  the  hearts 
of  those  who  knew  him.  He  lives  in  the  prin- 
ciples of  true  Christianity  and  in  his  exemplary 
life  of  devotion  to  the  Giver  of  Life.  Strong 
to  battle  for  the  right,  gentle  and  kind  as  a 
friend,  cheerful  and  companionable,  taking  no 
thought  for  himself,  but  serving  his  fellow- 
men  faithfully  wherever  called,  the  world  is 
better  for  his  life.    We  can  scarce  realize  that 


24 


Memorial  Tributes 


he  has  left  us.  His  voice  is  stilled.  He  rests 
from  his  labors  and  his  works  do  follow  him. 

"Servant  of  God,  well  done ! 
Rest  from  thy  loved  employ : 
The  battle  fought,  the  victory  won, 
Enter  thy  Master's  joy." 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  25 


IN  MEMORIAM. 

Mes.  E.  Z.  Johnston. 

In  the  November,  1901,  issue  of  his  paper, 
The  Bulletin,  Kev.  R.  Z.  J ohnston  pays  the  fol- 
lowing tribute  to  the  memory  of  his  sainted 
wife: 

Dark  days  come  to  all,  but  they  need  not 
be  our  worst  days.  The  test  comes  when  the 
shadows  fall  and  the  ordinary  joys  of  life  fail. 

Then  how  precious  are  the  loving  messages 
that  come  from  so  many  sympathizing  friends ! 
They  break  the  ice  and  the  tears  now — they  tell 
us  to  "be  of  good  courage  and  He  shall 
strengthen  your  hearts.7'  Indeed,  God  does 
strengthen  the  heart — "heaviness  in  the  heart 
of  man,  maketh  it  stoop,  but  a  good  word  maketh 
it  glad" — it  is  a  way  He  strengthens  the  heart. 

I  am  moved  to  answer  each  letter  of  tenderest 
sympathy,  but  must  ask  my  friends  to  let  this 
November  Bulletin  do  this  service  and  express 
my  grateful  appreciation  of  all  the  comforting 
letters  (and  they  were  many)  and  heartsome 
attentions  that  have  come  to  me  and  my  sor- 
rowing children,  since  the  dear  wife  and  mother 
and  grandmother  left  the  old  manse,  and  her 
vanished  hand  and  sweet  face  were  laid  to  rest 
October  1,  1901. 

As  this  little  paper  tries  to  send  a  monthly 
message  to  families  scattered  over  our  Presby- 


26 


Memorial  Tributes 


tery  and  seeks  to  chronicle  whatever  in  our 
current  history  is  worth  a  record,  I  trust  it 
will  not  be  deemed  improper  to  devote  a  page 
to  the  memory  of  her,  who  was  a  typical  Pres- 
byterian woman,  a  mother  in  the  manse  and 
shepherdess  among  the  people. 

I  cannot  trust  myself  to  tell  of  the  loveliness 
of  her  young  maidenhood,  when  she  was  so 
highly  esteemed  in  old  Catholic  church,  and  the 
best  families  in  Fairfield  and  Chester  districts, 
South  Carolina;  and  there  are  few  now  living 
who  can  tell  of  the  pleasantry,  the  hospitality 
and  the  charm  of  her  home  life  just  before  the 
Civil  War.  She  had  lived  23  years  and  I  had 
lived  26  years  when  our  lives  were  united  in 
a  happy  marriage,  and  my  public  ministry  be- 
gan in  Providence  and  Sharon  churches,  where 
we  lived  and  served  for  more  than  ten  years. 

They  were  years  of  violent,  social,  political 
and  ecclesiastical  changes  and  excitements.  The 
young  men  of  the  churches  went  to  the  front 
and  many  fell  and  we  ministered  at  their 
graves.  I  visited  them  and  preached  to  them 
in  their  camps,  and  she  visited  and  wept  with 
their  mothers  and  sisters  and  friends.  Her 
brother  and  my  brother  were  wounded  and 
brought  home  and  nursed  through  months  of 
pain,  till  one  began  life  again  with  a  stiff  leg 
and  the  other  with  a  stiff  arm.  Our  mothers 
died  in  our  childhood  and  our  fathers  married 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  27 


again,  and  both  died  during  those  years,  leav- 
ing families  and  large  estates  to  my  adminis- 
tration. She  was  a  most  faithful  helpmate  to 
me  in  those  arduous  years. 

The  enthusiasm  of  our  youth  never  failed 
us.  When  the  war  was  over  our  losses  were  like 
those  of  our  people.  We  were  poor  and  with- 
out a  home  to  live  in  and  our  people  were  so 
impoverished  they  could  not  then  provide  us 
one,  and  there  was  not  a  manse  in  the  Presby- 
tery. We  worked  till  we  built  us  one  and  were 
growing  to  it  and  improving  it,  when  a  call 
Drought  us  to  Lincolnton  in  1872.    *    *  * 

The  weeks  and  months  were  long  before  the 
shadow  passed  away  and  she  began  to  feel  her 
way  to  the  hearts  and  homes  of  the  people  who 
received  us  so  kindly.  We  made  mistakes — 
wife  made  fewer  than  I  did,  but  the  patience 
and  kindness  of  the  dear  old  Presbyterian  fami- 
lies we  came  to  serve,  tided  us  over  them  and 
bound  us  to  the  people  west  of  the  Catawba 
with  ties  which  30  years  have  made  very  strong. 

Her  father  was  one  of  the  best  men  and  a 
typical  ruling  elder,  and  her  devotion  to  him 
was  beautiful.  When  she  left  him  and  became 
my  wife,  she  wanted  to  help  me  in  my  work, 
and  had  such  resourcefulness  about  her  to  en- 
thuse my  efforts  in  doing  good  and  keeping  me 
from  folly  and  dangerous  youthful  ambitions. 
She  could  not  join  the  choir — she  was  too  young 


28 


Memorial  Tributes 


to  be  much  at  home  in  Ladies'  Aid  Societies, 
and  when  visiting  she  was  "Sister  Johnston," 
she  felt  old,  and  dessolate  and  homesick  and 
could  hardly  keep  the  tears  back — the  life  when 
she  was  just  "Kitty"  seemed  so  far  away.  But 
she  liked  Sunday  school  work,  and  a  class  of 
boys  always  enlisted  her  heart — their  pranks 
and  plans  and  troubles  found  responsive  chords 
in  her  life,  and  she  sowed  much  good  seed  that 
bore  good  fruit,  and  she  never  forgot  her  Sun- 
day school  boys — their  kind  letters  and  visits 
and  their  future  careers  were  sources  of  com- 
fort to  her.  When  strength  began  to  fail,  and 
orphan  grandchildren  came  to  her  home,  she 
found  the  task  of  getting  ready  to  go,  too  much 
for  her.  It  was  a  severe  trial  to  give  up  her 
place  in  the  Sunday  school,  and  she  gave  the 
superintendent  to  understand  she  would  be 
prepared,  when  she  could  be  present,  as  a  sub- 
stitute. She  was  frugal,  but  not  extravagant. 
A  mean,  sordid  spirit  was  most  repulsive  to  her. 
There  was  no  littleness  about  her.  Poverty  in 
money  matters  was  the  only  shadow  on  her  life. 
The  dear  soul  was  often  perplexed — nailed — 
as  the  word  implies — from  without;  but  her 
heart  was  kept  sweet  and  gentle  in  Jesus'  care, 
like  a  lovely  child's. 

When  her  servants  were  torn  from  her  it 
was  hard  to  learn  to  manage  free  negroes;  but 
she  learned,  and  they  learned  to  love  her  and 


Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  29 

served  her  faithfully.  It  grieved  her  to  hear 
people  abuse  them.  She  often  defended  them 
and  found  them  employment  where  they  would 
be  fairly  treated.  Children  nocked  around 
her — her  house  was  seldom  without  ring  of 
merry  voices.  And  when  orphan  children  were 
near  her,  they  were  fed  and  caressed  and  her 
little  grandchildren  were  attended  to  bed  and 
soothed  to  sleep  as  tenderly  as  her  own  were 
in  her  younger  years.  Young  people  were  al- 
ways welcome  in  her  home  and  her  best 
thought  was  to  make  them  happy  and  useful  in 
their  church  relations.  In  the  maturity  of  her 
late  years,  she  was  able  to  do  good  service  in 
the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  and  an  orphan  boy  at 
Barium  Spring  Orphan's  Home  enjoyed  the 
care  and  sympathy  of  her  mother  heart  and 
head.  She  believed  "we  reap  what  we  sow." 
She  never  complained — never  grumbled — she 
just  did  the  best  she  could  in  her  circles ;  and 
wonderful  it  is,  how  much  God  enabled  her  to 
do,  and  how  much  she  was  loved  in  return. 

Long  may  her  influence  be  a  benediction  to 
all  who  knew  and  loved  her;  and  may  kindly 
light  lead  the  weary  feet  of  our  sorrowing  chil- 
dren to  heavenly  pastures  beneath  the  tender 
Shepherd's  care,  and  tune  this  lonely  heart  to 
the  songs  of  the  redeemed !  At  the  parting, 
after  more  than  40  years  of  companionship, 


30 


Memorial  Tributes 


"The  fondness  of  a  creature's  love, 
Most  strongly  strikes  the  sense, 
Thither  the  warm  affections  move, 
Nor  can  we  call  them  thence." 

"I  had  fainted  unless  I  had  believed  the 
goodness  of  the  Lord  in  the  land  of  the  living;" 
and  your  messages  of  sympathy,  dear  friends, 
are  sweet  to  my  soul  and  keep  me  from  feeling : 
"I  am  forgotten  as  a  dead  man  out  of  mind, 
and  like  a  broken  vessel." 


Rey.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston.  31 


FAMILY. 

Rev.  Robert  Zenas  Johnston,  born  December 
14,  1834,  died  April  24,  1908. 

Catharine  Martha  Caldwell,  born  April  1, 
1838,  died  September  29,  1901. 

Rev.  R.  Z.  Johnston  and  Catharine  M.  Cald- 
well, married  May  15,  1861. 

CHILDREN. 

1.  Lida  Walker  Johnston,  born  April  23, 
1862 ;  married  James  A.  Lore  April  23,  1888. 
Children:  Lida  Johnsie  Lore,  Robert  Zenas 
Lore,  Lucy  Shankle  Lore,  Bessie  Knox  Lore, 
Kitty  Caldwell  Lore,  David  Graham  Lore, 
Sarah  Virginia  Lore. 

2.  Nettie  Graham  Johnston,  born  February 
18,  1864,  died  November  25,  1893.  Married 
Rev.  John  C.  McMullen  August  30,  1883. 
Children:  Robert  Johnston  McMullen,  Sallie 
Banks  McMullen,  Kitty  Caldwell  McMullen, 
Netty  Johnston  McMullen,  John  Calvin  Mc- 
Mullen (died  young). 

3.  Kate  Caldwell  Johnston,  born  August  30, 
1865,  died  June  1,  1893.  Married  Daniel  G. 
Crawford  August  30,  1887.  Children:  Daniel 
Givens  Crawford,  Catharine  May  Crawford, 
Zenas  Johnston  Crawford. 

4.  Bessie  Douglas  Johnston,  born  September 
12,  1867.   Married  Dr.  John  W.  Saine  Decern- 


32 


Memorial  Tributes 


ber  23,  1896.  Children:  Jennie  Johnston 
Saine,  John  Wallace  Saine  (died  young). 

5.  Robert  Caldwell  Johnston,  born  Septem- 
ber 26,  1869,  died  November  18,  1886. 

6.  Jennie  Stewart  Johnston,  born  October 

28,  1871,  died  March  29,  1906.  Married  Au- 
gustus M.  Hoke  November  7,  1900.  Children: 
Elizabeth  Johnston  Hoke,  Rebecca  McLean 
Hoke. 

7.  Rufus  Zenus  Johnston,  born  June  7,  1874. 
(In  United  States  Navy).  Married  to  Eunice 
Pegram  June  2,  1903;  Child:  Elizabeth  Wal- 
ler Johnston. 

8.  Mary  Knox  Johnston,  born 
1878.   Married  Robert  Sidney  Al 

6,   1905.    Children:  Sally  and  Kruy'  j^^k 
nethy   (Kitty  died  in  infancy)   and  Robert 
Sidney  Abernethy. 

9.  Joseph  Boudinot  Johnston,  born  March  2, 
1881.    Married  Annie  Lee  Davidson  January 

29,  1907.    Child:  Annie  Faysoux  Johnston. 


Rev.  R.  Z.  JOHNSTON 

Born  December  14,  1834 
Died  April  24,  1908 


"lister  of  this  Church  for  36  Years 


He  that  followeth  after 
righteousness  and  mercy  find- 
eth  life,  righteousness  and 
honor.— Prov.  XXI:  21 


Date  Due 


